PURPOSE: To investigate the cytotoxic effect of rigid gas permeable(RGP) and reverse geometry lens(RGL) on rabbit corneal cells. METHODS: In 36 white rabbits, right eyes were worn with either RGP or RGL. Left eyes were served as control. The rabbits were sacrificed at 1, 3, 7, 14 days after fitting and 7, 14 days after removal. Morphological changes of the basal epithelial cells and stromal keratocytes were observed using the light and transmission electron microscopy. The samples were examined after TUNEL staining in 3 high power fields (x400). RESULTS: In control eyes, 2.26% of central corneal epithelial cells showed apoptosis. After RGP wearing, the epithelial apoptosis decreased by 0.32% compared to control eyes(2.17%) at 14 days(p<0.001), and returned to 1.55% at 14 days after lens removal(2.04% in control, p=0.161). After RGL wearing, the degree of apoptosis was also lower than control(3.22%) by 0.30% at 14 days(p=0.003). However, it increased to 0.75% at 14 days after lens removal(1.67% in control, p=0.077). A few TUNEL positive fibroblasts were found in superficial stroma in both RGP and RGL group, but not in control eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Both RGP and RGL wearing may decrease the degree of apoptosis in corneal epithelium and lead the apoptosis in corneal stroma. The degree of apoptosis was recovered after lens removal, suggesting the process might to be reversible. The fitting with RGL induced apoptosis of keratocyte more than the fitting with RGP did. It suggests that the RGL wearing may be less physiologic than RGP wearing.
Apoptosis* ; Cornea* ; Corneal Stroma ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium, Corneal ; Fibroblasts ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Rabbits

A case of Cushing's syndrome due to bilateral pigmented nodular adrenal disease in a 35-year-old male is presented. The adrenals showed multiple, black, variable sized nodules. Histologically the cells contained lipofuscin and either had a clear cytoplasm or an eosinophilic cytoplasm with a prominent nucleus. Lymphocytic infiltration and fatty metaplasia within the nodules are two of the prominent histological features. There is extreme internodular atrophy which suggests that primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease is a non-adrenocorticotropic hormone dependent condition. Since the disorder appears to involve primarily the cortex of both adrenals, the treatment of choice is bilateral adrenalectomy followed by steroid replacement. The characteristic clinicopathological manifestations that separate this diagnosis from other types of adrenal disease are also discussed. This is the first reported case in Korea to be documented with the pertinent clinicopathological findings.
Adipose Tissue/pathology ; Adrenal Cortex/chemistry/*pathology/radiography/secretion/ultrasonography ; Adrenalectomy ; Adult ; Atrophy ; Case Report ; Cushing Syndrome/*etiology/surgery ; Dexamethasone/diagnostic use ; Furosemide/diagnostic use ; Human ; Hydrocortisone/secretion ; Inflammation ; Lipofuscin/*analysis ; Male ; Metaplasia ; Organelles/ultrastructure